Recommendation 1
IOPC recommendationThe IOPC recommends that Kent Police should take proactive steps to improve oversight of the work carried out by PCSOs and introduce measures to ensure their work is recorded more effectively. An Inspector of the Maidstone Community Safety Unit has already implemented many changes which are likely to be beneficial to other similar teams around Kent.
These changes include:
- Briefings each morning between the supervisors and PCSOs where activities for the day are discussed. Supervisors to be more intrusive around PCSO engagements and to provide appropriate support and guidance where necessary.
- A daily return form for each PCSO for them to note completed activities (i.e. Computer Aided Dispatches (CADs) attended, Themis cases updated, intel reports submitted etc.).
- Monthly one-to-one meetings between PCSOs and supervisors to discuss their work and activities.
- An Inspector was able to secure an increase in supervision which meant there were four sergeants overseeing the PCSOs rather than just one overseeing the majority. Sufficient supervisory coverage is of high importance to the success of these recommendations.
The College of Policing are planning to publish new guidelines on the general supervision of police officers and staff. There is not yet a confirmed publication date, but we wanted to alert you to its existence and suggest you consider this when producing your own guidance.
Do you accept the recommendation?
Yes
Accepted action:
The overarching recommendation to try and improve oversight of work and recording activity is agreed.
Following our NHP review, the implementation of the NHP principles and the IOPC recommendations the following work is being undertaken.
- Daily PCSO briefings at 08:00 hours are held with PS/Insp Mon-Fri or with the PCSO TL’s when these officers are not available. All district reporting sites can utilise MS Teams for teleconference / remote briefings / meetings.
- CSU Focus Group happens once a month between PCSO Team Leader’s and CSU Inspector / Sgts – this forum provides an opportunity to discuss their work and activities. Daily returns will not be undertaken to reduce administrate burden, ensuring greater community contact time.
- Formal monthly 121 will take place with PCSO’s to track progress of OSARA plans and community engagement and pocket notebook checks regarding daily activity.
- The new NHP Delivery / Implementation Plan requires each district to ensure that there are enough PCSO Tutors – this will form part of the current training / development review with L&D. A review of the existing supervision structure using the CSU sergeants, CPT Sergeants, Task Force Sergeants will be undertaken to ensure appropriate supervision coverage.
The Problem-Solving Task Force teams, the Team Leader will perform an operational and administrative function within the team, they will have responsibility for the day to day lead, direction and support of the team. It will be the responsibility of the PCSO Task Force Team Leader to update daily the “One Note” Tasking & Returns document for review each morning by the Partnerships & Communities Sergeant. To support the Team Leaders to manage their teams and drive performance, we have secured supervisors training modules for all three PSTF T/L’s. They will complete two elements of the Leadership training course, (Organisational and Personal Leadership). We have also submitted a request to include our T/L’s on the extra Command module.